Facts

On Wednesday, the city's Planning Commission will consider a request to rezone three parcels on about 7 acres at 610, 712 and 732 Surry St. to industrial and light-industrial zoning.

The applicant is Michael McCarley, president of Carolina Marine Terminal. McCarley is the registered agent for Riverman LLC, which bought the land in June 2012.

For years, the land was planned as the site of the proposed Gateway Project, a mixed-use development that called for 260 condominiums, a restaurant, 40 boat slips and retail space. Investors had planned an 11-story complex that would have been visible driving into Wilmington.

In 2008, the city council rezoned the property to allow for the development. At the time, opponents of the rezoning criticized its size and the traffic it could bring, adding that it was an attempt to squeeze as much money out of the property as possible. The council added conditions that the number of condos be limited and that land on the north side of the bridge be used as open space.

But the project fell victim to the area's real estate slump, and the land south of the bridge sat vacant. The property was foreclosed on in 2010.

According to the rezoning application, McCarley is requesting to rezone nearly 1 acre at 610 Surry St. as light industrial which would allow for office, distribution, warehousing and other light industrial uses. That land is just under the eastern side of the Memorial Bridge.

Next to that, McCarley has also proposed rezoning more than 6 acres at 712 and 732 Surry St. as industrial, which would allow basic industries, which could produce noise, odor, smoke and dust.

Ultimately, the city council will vote on the request, but first, the planning commission will weigh in.

The rezoning would bring the land "back in harmony" with adjacent parcels, according to the application, which also states that the current zoning does not apply to the owner's business model. McCarley operates Carolina Marine Terminal Inc., a shipping facility at 3330 River Road.

The application contends that the rezoning would allow the owners to redevelop the property. If rezoned, they will remove uninhabitable buildings and rebuild the existing shipping deck, it states. Now, the decrepit deck is covered in wood and what appears to be pilings.

The application does not specify exactly what would be developed on the site. McCarley did not return several phone messages left last week.

<p>Land in Wilmington just south of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge that was once envisioned for the Gateway Project could be returned to industrial zoning.</p><p>On Wednesday, the city's Planning Commission will consider a request to rezone three parcels on about 7 acres at 610, 712 and 732 Surry St. to industrial and light-industrial zoning.</p><p>The applicant is Michael McCarley, president of Carolina Marine Terminal. McCarley is the registered agent for Riverman LLC, which bought the land in June 2012.</p><p>For years, the land was planned as the site of the proposed Gateway Project, a mixed-use development that called for 260 condominiums, a restaurant, 40 boat slips and retail space. Investors had planned an 11-story complex that would have been visible driving into Wilmington.</p><p>In 2008, the city council rezoned the property to allow for the development. At the time, opponents of the rezoning criticized its size and the traffic it could bring, adding that it was an attempt to squeeze as much money out of the property as possible. The council added conditions that the number of condos be limited and that land on the north side of the bridge be used as open space.</p><p>But the project fell victim to the area's real estate slump, and the land south of the bridge sat vacant. The property was foreclosed on in 2010.</p><p>According to the rezoning application, McCarley is requesting to rezone nearly 1 acre at 610 Surry St. as light industrial which would allow for office, distribution, warehousing and other light industrial uses. That land is just under the eastern side of the Memorial Bridge.</p><p>Next to that, McCarley has also proposed rezoning more than 6 acres at 712 and 732 Surry St. as industrial, which would allow basic industries, which could produce noise, odor, smoke and dust.</p><p>Ultimately, the city council will vote on the request, but first, the planning commission will weigh in.</p><p>The rezoning would bring the land "back in harmony" with adjacent parcels, according to the application, which also states that the current zoning does not apply to the owner's business model. McCarley operates Carolina Marine Terminal Inc., a shipping facility at 3330 River Road.</p><p>The application contends that the rezoning would allow the owners to redevelop the property. If rezoned, they will remove uninhabitable buildings and rebuild the existing shipping deck, it states. Now, the decrepit deck is covered in wood and what appears to be pilings.</p><p>The application does not specify exactly what would be developed on the site. McCarley did not return several phone messages left last week.</p><p>Julian March: 343-2099</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @julianmarch</p>